Hantam National Botanical Gardens - Nieuwoudtville, Northern cape

If nature excites you, then a visit to Hantam National Botanical Garden, Nieuwoudtville should be on your bucket list.Nieuwoudtville boasts the largest variety of indigenous bulbous plants in the world. This is the one and only National Botanical Garden that you will find in the Northern Cape. An incredible 1350 + species of plants have been identified in the area, including a range of rare and endangered species of flowers.

If you wish to experience the Garden on foot, there are nine trails that have been created for visitors, ranging from 450m to 8km. These trails have been designed for all ages and all levels of fitness, so get the whole family involved!

The best time to visit this beautiful piece of paradise is between August and September, during the world famous Namaqua wild flower season, where the desert is transformed from an arid landscape to a stunning display of red, yellow, purple and orange wild flowers.

Botanists, photographers, enthusiasts and journalists come from all over the world to marvel at these resilient bulbs that grow in abundance year after year, without fail. So, if you do get to see these floral spectacles, make sure you take loads of photos so that you can brag to all of your gardening buddies.

The best time to view the flowers is between 10h30 and 16h00, so you can have a relaxed breakfast before going to the Garden. The flowers tend to be rather shy if the weather is rainy or heavily overcast, so this is not the ideal time to try and view them.You can book a guided tour of the Garden and possibly plan a picnic before the Safari Vehicle leaves the office building at 14:00.

The Nieuwoudtville area has a second, secret season. After sufficient late summer/early autumn rain you’ll get to see the Brunsvigia bosmaniae, in their dazzling brilliance.If you would like to find out whether they are in flower you can phone the office at 027 2181200.

Try to travel with the sun behind you, because then the flowers will always be facing you. Make sure to stop and get out and walk amongst the flora - Mother Nature wouldn't have it any other way. Just remember, don't pick the flowers!